Chassis swap
 

Anyone thought of a corvette C5 or C6 chassis swap? The guts at ATS did a C5 chassis swap onto a 68 Camaro. http://www.t56kit.com/company/50/50/chassis/ The torque tube would have to be lengthened to the proper wheelbase and specs (which ATS has done) along w/the frame fabrication. I think this would be the ultimate resto-mod for a early Tempest.

would still be a chevy.JMO,tom

Already have it in the works and the word is out for the Z06 (427) chassis on corvetteforum.com. :)

You could easily buy an off the shelf bellhousing adapter plate to bolt up a pontiac motor. And if you can fabricate all the details for the chassis swap, motor mounts would no sweat.

I found that C5 pic/chassis on Ebay by searching out corvette chassis and organizing by highest price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-Co...spagenameZWDVW

There is also a XLR chassis (C6) w/a Northstar engine.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/XLR-R...spagenameZWDVW

Any guess on the track width of the Corvette parts, and how they compare to a Lemans?

Track width on a C6 is: front=62", rear=61", overall wheelbase=105.7". I have not been able to find the track width for the 61-63 Lemans/Tempest, but I believe the wheelbase is 112". I know the track width of the later Tempests and varients (64-67) is approx. 59". Fender flares or custom rims might be needed to make the difference in track width work for the swap.

Going with the 427 Z06. If you're going to be a bear be a Grizzly...

I've got the numbers at the shop. Don't remember off the top of my head. The setup will work with 7.5" added to the tube length and custom 17" steel wheels... I'm sticking with poverty caps! I'm looking at integrating the majority of the frame as well, but will need to get my hands on a chassis to be sure I can make it work.

A friend here in PA is doing one, it's getting ready for paint now.

Track width for a '63 Tempest is 58".

Oh! I agree with Tom. It's still a chevy!

now put a C6 transaxle from the bellhousing back of a nice 421SD motor and you would REALLY have some thing.Jay Itell(spelling) put a V12 Jag in front of a 63 tempest SD transaxle and put it in a Corvair!I went for a ride in it and it was WILD!Tom

ahh but dont forget track width is measured from rhe drums, rotors and take in to account the wheel off set. old is almost centered and the new hangs out like a front driver. Sooo it should be pretty close. and doable with custom rims:)

I just got a 63 as a father/son project and had though it would be cool to at least tuck a 'vette 6-speed transaxle in where the Tempest 3-speed is. If we did the whole thing (which is WAY more than we can do ourselves) it would have to be a Pontiac engine in front. The new motors run great, but Tom S is right, a 421 (or aluminum 455) would be very cool. It'll be awhile, so the 195 & 3-speed will remain.